Solar Development Engineer

The Role:

The Solar Development Engineer will be responsible for key technical aspects of solar project development (including associated energy storage components) and execution including management of technical consultants, equipment specifications, financial model technical inputs, permitting support, local utility and roadwork coordination, and all other relevant technical and commercial input required to successfully develop and finance utility-scale solar power projects. 

Responsibilities:

• Site Selection and Feasibility Support – Provide recommendations to the Manager of Engineering on the technical feasibility of individual sites contemplated for new development projects, for generating facility sites as well as sites for interconnection facilities;
• Technology Assessments – Conduct technical assessments of different OEMs (both related to solar and storage) and provide recommendations to the Manager of Engineering on the type of technologies to use for the project;
• Development of Plant Production Models – Work with OEMs, Owner’s Engineers and EPC Contractors to develop plant performance for use in the interconnection process, RFP proposals, permitting and the financial model, using PVSyst modeling platform;
• Interconnection Process – Assist in the development of technical inputs in support of a project’s initial Interconnection Request and subsequent studies conducted by the regional ISO;
• Infrastructure Requirements Evaluation – Work closely with the Manager of Engineering to determine all feasible options for required project infrastructure, including electrical interconnection, telecommunications, water wells or pipelines, and road/access improvements;
• Development of Site Drawings – Develop (along with the Owner’s Engineer) all site and interconnection facility layouts, grading plans, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans, elevations and other drawings necessary for project development and permitting;
• Permit Support – Provide technical support to the Project Manager for all relevant project permits. Track technical permit obligation compliance for technical/construction obligations required pre- and post-financial close;
• Management of Consultants – Manage the activities of the Owner’s Engineer and other technical consultants providing support to the project;
• Project Finance – Assist in the development of technical inputs to the project financial model, including production estimates, EPC capital costs, operating and maintenance expenses, and operational capital expenditures. Contract and manage the Independent Engineer (IE) due diligence process in support of financial close; review all iterations of the IE’s report; coordinate IE-Lender correspondence and report comments; and ensure timely delivery of the IE’s report, Use of Work Product Agreements, drawdown validation reviews, and any other IE requirements set forth under the project credit agreements.

Essential Skills/ Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree of Science in engineering from an accredited institution.
• 5+ years of relevant engineering and technical policy experience including renewable energy design and interconnection tariff structures
• Ability to lead advocacy and technical negotiations to facilitate advancement of Advanced Power’s projects
• PSS/E or PSCAD modelling experience preferred
• Knowledge of transmission planning standards and FERC interconnection process is preferred
• Experience with interconnection requirements and criteria for MISO, PJM, ERCOT, Arizona and/ or New Mexico is preferred
• Experience with substation design and transmission-level power system protection and coordination is preferred
• PSSE, Aspen, PSCAD, ETAP or AmpCalc modeling experience preferred
• AutoCAD software proficiency preferred
• Strong knowledge of industry standard design codes such as National Electric Code, International Building Code, International Fire Code, and other industry standards

Perks of the role:

• Salary: A base salary commensurate with experience;
• Bonus: An annual bonus will be awarded based on both individual performance as well as the overall success of the business;
• Benefits: The client offers an attractive benefits package with excellent health; care/dental/vision, 401k matching, unlimited vacation, and other health/wellness benefits;
• Location: Massachusetts (Hybrid)
• Travel: Occasional travel (less than 15%) to project sites during critical commissioning phases.